Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current,rec.arts.startrek.reviews
Subject: DS9 Graphic Spoiler: "Working Vacation"
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 1994 10:52:56 -0500
Lines: 100


Star Trek Comics Review: "Working Vacation"
Review by Mark Martinez
============================================

=WARNING= SPOILERS for current comics ahead

Publisher: Malibu
   Series: DS9
   Number: 7
     Date: February 1994
    Title: Working Vacation
   Writer: Len Strazewski
Penciller: Rob Davis
    Inker: Terry Pallot
    Cover: Dan Day
    Cover: David Day
 Stardate: na
    Grade: s/vf, a/vf, c/vf

Synopsis

To prevent Kira from disrupting discussions with Gul Dukat about
a mining agreement, Sisko assigns her the job of envoy to Zaria
5, on the other side of the wormhole. The contract administrator
of Zaria 5, a resort world, wants to discuss commercial
development with the Federation. On arrival, Kira learns that
she has been assigned a personal steward to attend to all her
needs. As she learns more about Zaria 5, she becomes
increasingly irritated. Zarian society consists of a master and
servant class. Each year, a negotiation by combat establishes
their contractual relationship, but since the servant class has
no trained warriors, they have never won a negotiation, and
remain virtual slaves.

Kira's warrior blood boils when she learns that her steward is
this year's combatant for the servants. She tries to teach him
some basic fighting skills, but he is not up to the task. Kira
takes matters into her own hands and takes her steward's place,
winning the negotiation for the servants. She leaves the planet
in turmoil, but the servants are in a position to establish a
more equitable contract. Sisko is upset with Kira, but she
reminds him that she is not a Starfleet officer, and not bound
by the Prime Directive. Then she asks Sisko when he will allow
her another vacation.

Review

Len Strazewski substitutes for Mike Barr this issue (although
the cover still credits Barr), and weighs in with an
entertaining story featuring Kira. Left to her own devices, Kira
tackles problems head-on. It's refreshing to see someone disregard
the Prime Directive and enjoy herself at the same time. I found
the sexual subtext of the story intriguing, but that's probably
because I've always found Kira intriguing.

Exceptional artwork has become the norm for the DS9 comics and
this issue is no exception. The cover features a rather grim
Kira, but that's ok, it's stunning. Buy this issue and enjoy. 


Notes

Malibu and DC have announced the first DS9/TNG crossover. It's
the first time that two major companies have combined licensed
properties. The first two issues of the four-issue crossover,
one from each company, are scheduled for simultaneous October
release. The last two issues are scheduled for November. Mike
Barr will write for Malibu and Michael Jan Friedman for DC.
Gordon Purcell and Terry Pallot will do all the artwork.

Malibu has also acquired the rights to publish a comic book
series based on Star Trek: Voyager. The creative team and first
release date are to be announced later.

The first DS9 mini-series is due in May. "Hearts and Minds"
begins with Cardassians taking the blame for destroying a
Klingon ship in the Gamma Quadrant. Sisko must keep the peace
until Federation help arrives. The story will be introduced in
issue #9 of the regular series.

============================================
Grading Key
(adapted with tongue-in-cheek from "The Overstreet Comic Book
Price Guide" and subject to revision with little or no provocation) 


s       Story
a       Art
c       Cover art

mt      Mint: perfect in every way
nm      Near mint: minor imperfections only
vf      Very fine: outstanding
fn      Fine: no serious defects
vg      Very good: presentable
gd      Good: readable
fr      Fair: ragged
pr      Poor: falls apart
na      Not applicable/available